In the Spring of 1997, ECW stars - headed up by Paul Heyman - started showing up on WWF programming. Both companies had a deal, and it's become common knowledge that Vince McMahon was sending ECW money to keep them afloat. For that reason, Heyman was outraged when he learned of a similar deal brokered by Tod Gordon with WCW later the same year. Gordon's big idea was that ECW's top names would start 'invading' Monday Nitro. The feud would be treated as an extension of the nWo story, playing out in very much the same fashion. Stars such as Rob Van Dam, The Sandman and Tommy Dreamer were all ear-marked for the role, and Heyman's trusted friend Bill Alfonso was also in on the concept. The only problem was that the wrestlers weren't, and neither was Paul Heyman. Furious over the idea being thought up behind his back, Heyman fired Tod Gordon and Alfonso. The latter was later brought back into the mix, but the whole ECW invasion of WCW would never end up happening. Who knows how different wrestling history could have been had it occurred.